Bengaluru, 3 Sept 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday instructed officials to develop Anjanadri Hill in Koppal district. Located near Hampi and overseeing the Tungabhadra River, Anjanadri Hill is considered as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. 

Siddaramaiah emphasised its mythological, spiritual, and tourism significance.

The Chief Minister, who chaired a Wednesday meeting on the development of the hill and surrounding areas, discussed with ministers concerned and officials the provision of necessary facilities for the elderly to reach the summit, as well as the construction of a circumambulation route.

“Lakhs of people visit the hill during Hanuman Jayanti. Tourists from North India also visit the area in large numbers,” Siddaramaiah said, according to an official release. “Dormitory facilities for pilgrims to stay, stairs for senior devotees to climb the hill, construction of a community hall, and other tourist facilities should be developed in the area,” 

Works worth Rs 200 crore have been sanctioned under Phase-1 and Phase-2, with Rs 10 crore released so far, the statement said.

“Additional grant will have to be provided by the Finance Department to release the remaining funds,” the release noted.

Due to a shortage of government land for the sanctioned projects, the purchase of 77.28 acres of private land was proposed, but could not be completed due to a lack of grants.

“Therefore, the Finance Department should provide the necessary funds to acquire a total of 101.30 acres of private land, including the additional land,” it said, noting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Since most of the sanctioned works fall under the forest department's jurisdiction, the CM directed officials to secure the required NOC to carry out the development activities.